ᐅ Determining heating costs before purchasing the property? Review of the cost estimate
Created on: 7 Jan 2013 13:56
E
EisvogelHello everyone, and I wish you all a Happy New Year.
After much consideration, we are now close to buying a house.
What worries us a lot is the oil heating system, which is supposed to heat the entire approximately 235 m2 (2,530 sq ft) house equipped with underfloor heating.
How can I estimate the expected heating costs before the purchase?
I have read about so-called energy consultants.
What information do I need to provide to them for them to calculate the costs, or is this only possible if they inspect the property on-site to create an accurate calculation?
We also have the following questions:
- Would you always involve a building inspector even if the house appears to be in good and dry condition?
- Would you also have a lawyer review the purchase contract despite working with a real estate agent?
Thank you for your help.
Best regards,
Simon
After much consideration, we are now close to buying a house.
What worries us a lot is the oil heating system, which is supposed to heat the entire approximately 235 m2 (2,530 sq ft) house equipped with underfloor heating.
How can I estimate the expected heating costs before the purchase?
I have read about so-called energy consultants.
What information do I need to provide to them for them to calculate the costs, or is this only possible if they inspect the property on-site to create an accurate calculation?
We also have the following questions:
- Would you always involve a building inspector even if the house appears to be in good and dry condition?
- Would you also have a lawyer review the purchase contract despite working with a real estate agent?
Thank you for your help.
Best regards,
Simon
Eisvogel schrieb:
...What still concerns us greatly is the oil heating system, which is supposed to fully heat the approximately 235 m2 (2,530 sq ft) house equipped with underfloor heating. How can I estimate the expected heating costs before purchasing? It is very sensible and entirely justified to ask this question in advance! It is hardly possible for laypeople to determine reliably, as it has a significant impact on the purchase price and future operating costs! Eisvogel schrieb:
...I have read about so-called energy consultants? This is a generally unregulated professional title! The energy consultant should at least be an HVAC planner and, if possible, also a construction engineer! Eisvogel schrieb:
..
-Would you also have a lawyer review the purchase contract despite having a real estate agent? What legal protection does a real estate agent provide? ;-)
Best regards
€uro schrieb:
What legal protection does a real estate agent provide? ;-)
Best regards.The question can be expanded... what service does a real estate agent actually offer...? 😀K
karliseppel7 Jan 2013 15:33Did you not request an energy performance certificate for the building?
Are there no past consumption values available, or is this a new property?
Surveyor: Yes, always.
Lawyer: Yes, for a new build that still needs to be constructed.
For an existing property, usually the notary—whom you need anyway—is sufficient to explain the legal implications of your actions.
But even then, it varies… some probably just read it out loud 😀
With a total amount like this, spending two hours with my trusted lawyer would certainly be well worth it.
We really don’t need to discuss the surveyor!
Everyone puts a used car worth 10kilograms (10,000 euros) on the lift for inspection, but buying a house “as seen”? Not really. Just include these costs in your planning and don’t stretch your budget to the limit. It’s money well spent.
Bring someone with practical experience, maybe an active architect or similar—along with photos from the construction phase—and someone on the seller’s side who can answer technical questions.
I’m not referring to the adjective-laden, overly optimistic sales pitch from the real estate agent.
Are there no past consumption values available, or is this a new property?
Surveyor: Yes, always.
Lawyer: Yes, for a new build that still needs to be constructed.
For an existing property, usually the notary—whom you need anyway—is sufficient to explain the legal implications of your actions.
But even then, it varies… some probably just read it out loud 😀
With a total amount like this, spending two hours with my trusted lawyer would certainly be well worth it.
We really don’t need to discuss the surveyor!
Everyone puts a used car worth 10kilograms (10,000 euros) on the lift for inspection, but buying a house “as seen”? Not really. Just include these costs in your planning and don’t stretch your budget to the limit. It’s money well spent.
Bring someone with practical experience, maybe an active architect or similar—along with photos from the construction phase—and someone on the seller’s side who can answer technical questions.
I’m not referring to the adjective-laden, overly optimistic sales pitch from the real estate agent.
First of all, thanks for your answers.
I have since tried to educate myself a bit on the topic of heating.
The previous owner says he gets by with 3000 liters (790 gallons) of heating oil and 3 steres of wood (there is also a tiled stove) per heating season. Is that roughly realistic?
It’s a Buderus heating system, and the boiler was replaced in 2008.
From my calculations, it hardly makes sense to buy the house with the existing oil heating and then replace it—although it is fairly new—with an expensive pellet heating system.
I think it only makes sense to consider that when the oil heating breaks down, right?
(I found out that switching completely to pellets compared to oil can save about 12,000 euros over 20 years if both systems are newly installed).
Otherwise, I would essentially be buying two heating systems since the oil heating is already in place.
What do you think about these considerations?
Does every house have to have an energy certificate, and if not, is it standard that I as the buyer have to cover the costs for it?
Thanks again for your help.
Best regards, Simon
I have since tried to educate myself a bit on the topic of heating.
The previous owner says he gets by with 3000 liters (790 gallons) of heating oil and 3 steres of wood (there is also a tiled stove) per heating season. Is that roughly realistic?
It’s a Buderus heating system, and the boiler was replaced in 2008.
From my calculations, it hardly makes sense to buy the house with the existing oil heating and then replace it—although it is fairly new—with an expensive pellet heating system.
I think it only makes sense to consider that when the oil heating breaks down, right?
(I found out that switching completely to pellets compared to oil can save about 12,000 euros over 20 years if both systems are newly installed).
Otherwise, I would essentially be buying two heating systems since the oil heating is already in place.
What do you think about these considerations?
Does every house have to have an energy certificate, and if not, is it standard that I as the buyer have to cover the costs for it?
Thanks again for your help.
Best regards, Simon
M
Micha&Dany9 Jan 2013 07:57Eisvogel schrieb:
The previous owner says he gets by with 3000 liters (790 gallons) of heating oil and 3 cords of wood (there is also a tiled stove) per heating season. Is that roughly realistic? Hello Eisvogel,
I get by with one tank of gas per month in my car—is that realistic?
How much oil or wood you need depends not only on the house but also on your heating habits.
Are you comfortable with 20°C (68°F) indoors during winter, or do you prefer 25°C (77°F)?
Is the heating running all day and night, or do you turn it down at night? Is someone home during the day, or do you lower the heat then as well?
What about hot water? How much do you use? Do you have a bathtub? How often will you take baths?
You can partly estimate your heating behavior based on your past habits—if you needed at least 25°C (77°F) in your rental apartment, you can assume you’ll heat the house to a similar level.
Other factors are harder to predict—if you previously had a tiny bathroom and now will have a comfortable bathroom with a bathtub, how often will you actually bathe?
Will you really use the tiled stove regularly? Cleaning, chopping wood, …? What is the cost of the wood for you?
In my opinion, you can roughly estimate heating costs, but reliable figures only come after living for several years in a comparable property (similar size and amenities, e.g., wood stove, bathtub).
And you definitely can’t assume other people’s habits will match your own…
Regards
Micha 😎
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